Something different

[photopam]

Ok, anyone had a client say "i want something different."?? I had two! I asked what style they like, what they are thinking, but they are not sure.

I suggested an urban feel. I think that is different for a child session!

What else?

One of them did not want Gardens...

One of them is my friend, and she normally did studio sessions at Kiddie Kandids (and always complained about them!) I think we are going to try her family farm.

Just wondered if anyone has figured out what they mean by that...

Thanks!

[Cajungaltx]

All the time.

Actually... it's like the holy grail of images for me. I want images that aren't like what I did for a previous client.....I want something unique that is entirely their personality.... maybe it's me... but I think that's the goal.

Seriously... how many seniors on railroad tracks to you see?
How many wedding parties jumping up in the air?

There are shots where you see them 'over & over & over' ....

Are they good shots? You'd better believe it...

But are they different? Not really...

Figure out your client.. is she soft and dreamy? is she funky & urban? what about the kid? what's his/her personality like?

There's a photographer on another forum that did this session with this infant... in the middle of the woods... on a suede foot stool... in this soft little blanket... it's been months since I saw that image.... but I can recall it almost perfectly... cause it was 'different'.

That's what they want....

At least in my opinion.

[toverman]

I strive for images that don't look like anyone else's, but I'll have to get back to you on how that works. Like Donna said, something that fits the client perfectly, but maybe also something that reflects a signature style. This is hard!

The flipside of that is that ideas we come up with may be new to a client. Pam, I like the idea of using the family farm for one client. That way it is a location that means something rather than just has good light/pretty backdrops. Tailoring a session specifically to clients is the ultimate in custom photography. Otherwise, back to Kiddie Kandids for them!

[photopam]

Thanks guys.

That is what I was thinking, just don't know how to present it to the client.
I do not like shots that look like everyone else's either. I think it is the location they are hung up on. They want that to be different.

One of them is coming to buy my entertainment center, so I'll get a chance to chat with her more. Just hoping for some more incite! ;)

[HotHolly]

Ive found that the clients who say they want something different, but dont know what, actually are more traditionalist than they think they are. You can shoot a totally new awesome trendy session and have 1 shot in there so grandma will have something, and they gravitate toward that shot. I dunno why.

Those who want something different already identified us as being different, and when that happens, they just let us loose and love everything they get.

I would say talk to them more. You wouldnt believe how many people think that you cannot possible capture their personality or emotion on camera. Now I just giggle, and say we'll see.

[ADP Photography]

Do something along the lines of a Family Date... go to the zoo with them, or to a paint party, farmers market, some place where the family interacts with eachother and is not just all facing you saying cheese in matching shirts and jeans. Then when they look at the pictures they'll remember how much fun they had and not just see a pretty picture.

[photopam]

Interesting concept Jennifer. But I'm not the best with candids...I am trying to work it into my sessions though...

Thanks everyone! Just needed a jolt to the ol' noggin! (Got mommy brain real bad...)

[Cajungaltx]

Originally Posted by photopam

Interesting concept Jennifer. But I'm not the best with candids...I am trying to work it into my sessions though...

Thanks everyone! Just needed a jolt to the ol' noggin! (Got mommy brain real bad...)

Dont you hate that? I had it for almost a year after Sarah was born... and it KILLED me to be so freaking flaky... I could have killed someone... seriously.

[photopam]

Originally Posted by Cajungaltx

Dont you hate that? I had it for almost a year after Sarah was born... and it KILLED me to be so freaking flaky... I could have killed someone... seriously.

Glad to hear I'm not the only one! Somedays... don't make me mad...
It wasn't so bad after my first, but this time (I only have two and it's going to stay that way!) Half the time I have no clue!

[carrbowl]

Shoot Pam...you better quit...I have four and not only did they take my blonde hair, but they took the brain cells too!!! I swear I wonder where I am half the time. It's funny..one of the guys on the forum kept thinking I was half crazy...he spent a couple times at my house shooting...it didn't take him long to see the zoo and figure out why I am half crazy!!! Quit at two!!!

[Daniel W.]

(Don't do this with a paying client).

Drive 30 minutes in a direction you don't frequent (but is safe). Promise to shoot there, commit to it. If it doesn't work then you've got an hour out of your life and a place not to go, but 9 times out of 10 you have a new location. Purposely aim for places you haven't seen yet.